General characteristics

An acute inflammation of the appendix. The appendix is a part of the lymphatic system and could almost be classed as the 'tonsils of the bowel'. Symptoms include low, right sided pain with accompanying heat, slight fever, nausea or vomiting, rapid pulse, diarrhoea or constipation. The appendix can 'rumble' from time to time and indicates the need for an improvement in diet and the regular use of herbal and natural treatments. If left untreated it can rupture and cause peritonitis (inflammation of the abdominal lining). It is often caused by an impaction or blockage of faecal waste in the first portion of the bowel (around the ileocaecal valve) and suggests poor liver, bowel and digestive functioning and a diet low in fibre and/or high in refined carbohydrates.

Diet and lifestyle

Stop all solid foods and drink vegetable juices (particularly grape, carrot or beetroot juices), warm water and herb teas for a few days to rest the digestive system and allow the bowels to empty. Gradually include some lightly steamed vegetables, soups, purees and slippery elm tea over the next few days.

Ensure that the bowels are working regularly each day before moving on to more solid foods. Once the acute episode is over, increase the amount of fibre in your diet gradually by eating plenty of vegetables, fruits and grains.

Useful herbs

Drink plantain leaf tea for its potent action on neutralising poisons within the body. use a heaped teaspoon of dried herb and drink a cup every hour or so until medical attention is gained.

Herbs which tone the bowels and encourage healthy digestive processes include agrimony, barberry root, Oregon grape root, chamomile, cayenne, yarrow, buckthorn bark, raspberry leaf.

Herbs that enhance the body's resistance to infection include echinacea, golden seal, blue flag, myrrh.

Herbs that relieve spasm and inflammation in the digestive system include wild yam, marshmallow root, chamomile, fennel, liquorice root.

Blue flag root tincture can help to calm and clear the appendix when an attack is imminent or in full swing. Use around 10 drops in water up to 3 times daily.

Figwort tincture can also help to kill infection and reduce inflammation of the appendix.

Natural healing

Grated ginger mixed with castor oil will make a good pain relieving and dispersing poultice. Keep the poultice warm using a hot water bottle but if the area feels too hot then remove the hot water bottle and sponge down with cool water. Lie down and rest for a few hours. Do this every night until the episode has subsided. A warm poultice of mullein leaf can also be used to bring pain relief.

Take a month's course of probiotics such as lactobacillus acidophilus and repeat every few months.

Enemas of warm herbal teas such as chamomile and catnip can bring instant relief.